SANCTIFICATION

"For by one offering He has perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Heb10:14)

Devotion 6 of 16

JESUS WAS SANCTIFIED

"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath SANCTIFIED, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?" (John 10:36). "And for their sakes I SANCTIFY MYSELF, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" (John 17:19).

The Father set the Son apart for the work of reconciling the world to Himself. The Son, however, also entered into the work, separating Himself from all influences hindering the completion of His mission. Without His personal dedication, God would not be able to accomplish the sanctification of the people. This is a grand truth. Each believer must exercise diligence to appropriate it by faith. Any notions that God will accomplish His purpose through undedicated or unresolved people must be rejected. Jesus has set the example for us. When God sets someone apart for His work, the individual or individuals that are set apart must also dedicate themselves. Their determination must be joined to the purpose of the Almighty for it to yield eternal advantage to them.

Jesus Christ did not come to earth to meet the self-diagnosed needs of people. He was not a representative from heaven to be used by people at their behest. While He had compassion upon people, and consistently ministered to them, He was God's servant, not man's. He came to carry out the Father's agenda. This was revealed on several occasions. One of particular interest involved a young man who spoke to Jesus about the correction of a domestic squabble. "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" (Luke 12:13-14). Jesus was not sent by the Father to correct social disorders. That is not the purpose for His sanctification. He was set apart as "the Lamb of God," and sent into the world to be its Savior from sin. His sanctification did not allow for distractions into matters unrelated to His mission. In this respect, he is the supreme example for us all.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you that Jesus was sanctified--set apart to fulfill Your own determinate counsel. In His name, and by Your grace, I desire to be involved in that purpose to the fullest extent possible.

-- TOMORROW: THE MEANING OF THE WORD "SANCTIFICATION"--